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Little Hyatt Dam Project Is Available for Public Review

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Little Hyatt Dam Project Is Available for Public Review United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Medford District Office 3040 Biddle Road Medford, Oregon 97504 IN REPLY REFER 1'0' email address: [email protected] 1792(ORM060) llCT 26 2009 Dear Interested Public: The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Little Hyatt Dam project is available for public review. The public review period, advertised on the Medford Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Website, ends on November 30,2009. The website address is http://www.blm. gov/or/ districts/medford. The future of Little Hyatt Dam has generated much interest and discussion. From BLM's initial desire to remove the dam for both safety and liability reasons, many of you have asked us to look at other options, preferring to retain the dam. I have heard the following observations from you on this issue. You value the aesthetic and spiritual ambience of the mountain lake setting. There is special appreciation for the structural appearance ofthe dam, the cascading water over the dam, and the peace and quiet of the area. Many of you recall pleasant memories of more youthful visits to the lake. You also value its rather undeveloped recreational aspect to fish, boat and camp in the area, and generally having the "place to yourself". For those who live in the area, you appreciate this amenity and the value it brings to the Green Springs mountain community. You have noted the biological value of a small mountain lake and its surrounding wetlands, and the fact that the surrounding larger lakes are much more developed. Based on both personal opinions and the available technical information on the condition and possible collapse ofthe dam, many of you remain skeptical that there is any real danger to life and property, believing the old dam will simply leak a slow death, and noting the sparse development downstream that is unlikely to be affected in the event that a collapse does occur. More importantly, you advocated for an opportunity to help save the dam. Working with the BLM and local congressional representatives, a group of dedicated residents helped explore a number of avenues for funding to repair the dam. A proposal to use the value of surrounding public land to offset the cost of repairing the dam was presented for consideration and was fully developed in this EA. As with all alternatives to address a problem, there are pros and cons that must be carefully weighed into a final decision. It is my hope that we have adequately explored a range of ideas and have adequately and fairly described the differences between alternatives. It is also customary that the BLM identify a Proposed Action. This (Proposed Action) is a term--described in the implementation regulations for environmental analysis--that may confuse people into believing a decision has already been made. That, however, is not the case. The Proposed Action is a starting point the BLM uses in its environmental analysis process from which to build options. No decision has been made, but the Proposed Action does alert the public to the management direction the BLM is leaning. I will make a final decision on this project only after carefully considering your comments. The record of my decision will reflect the rationale of that final decision and how I considered public comments in making that decision. I welcome your comments on the content ofthe EA. I am particularly interested in comments that address one or more ofthe following: (1) new information that would affect the analysis, (2) information or evidence of flawed or incomplete analysis; and (3) alternatives to the Proposed Action that would respond to purpose and need. Specific comments are the most useful. Comments are due by 4:30 PM, November 30, 2009. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment,. including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All comments should be made in writing and mailed or delivered to John Gerritsma, Ashland Resource Area, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504. Further information on this proposed project is available at the Medford District Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, Oregon 97504 or by calling the Ashland Resource Area Planning Department. Contact John Gerritsma at (541) 618-2438. Jo n Gerritsma F, eld Manager Ashland Resource Area Enclosure ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT For LITTLE HYATT DAM (Long-Term Management) United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Medford District Jackson County, Oregon ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) for LITTLE HYATT DAM (Long-Term Management) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT MEDFORD DISTRICT JACKSON COUNTY OREGON EA COVER SHEET RESOURCE AREA: Ashland ACTION/TITLE: Little Hyatt Dam (Long-Term Management EA NUMBER: (DOI-BLM-OR-M060-2010-0001-EA) LOCATION: T. 39 S., R. 3 E., in Section 20, W.M., Jackson County Oregon (see Map) List of Preparers Title Responsibility Miriam Liberatore District Engineer Engineering Michael Derrig Hydrologist Hydrology, Soils & Watershed Brad Tong Botanist Special Status Plants, Botany Steve Godwin Wildlife Biologist T&E Animals, Wildlife Jennifer Smith Fisheries Biologist Fisheries, Riparian Ann Ramage Cultural Resources Cultural Resources Edward Reilly Environmental Coordinator NEPA Compliance 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) for LITTLE HYATT DAM (Long-Term Management) A. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND This Environmental Assessment (EA) documents the environmental analysis conducted to estimate the site-specific effects on the human environment that may result from the implementation of BLM’s proposed action. This document complies with the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and the Department of the Interior’s manual guidance on the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (516 DM 1-7). In 1923, Little Hyatt Dam was constructed on Keene Creek in Jackson County, Oregon for the Talent Irrigation District (TID). At that time, water was diverted for irrigation to the Rogue Basin. In the 1950's, the Bureau of Reclamation built Keene Creek Reservoir and the Green Springs Hydroelectric Plant downstream from Little Hyatt. With the completion of these projects, TID stopped using Little Hyatt Reservoir for irrigation purposes. Since the 1950s, the reservoir has been used for recreation. In 1992, Talent Irrigation District contacted BLM, stating they (TID) wished to relieve themselves of the liability of the dam by breaching it. In order to continue to provide the recreational opportunities provided by the Little Hyatt Reservoir, BLM assumed title to the dam from the TID in 1993, and is currently responsible for its maintenance and safe operation. The BLM does not, however hold title or easement on approximately two-thirds of the land flooded by the current reservoir, nor does it hold a valid right to store or impound water at the site. When BLM acquired the dam, the Bureau of Reclamation noted that the dam was "in need of repairs". In 1996, BLM inspected the dam, determining that indeed, "the structure appear(ed) to be in poor condition." BLM’s report also noted that the condition of the dam presents a potential hazard to downstream land uses including the Pacific Crest Trail foot bridge crossing (200 feet downstream), camping, and other uses. The concrete dam measures 125 feet along its crest, 18 feet high, 2 feet thick, with a 75 feet wide spillway. The concrete has eroded, exposing vertical and horizontal rebar (the support structure inside the concrete). The concrete at the toe of the dam has been undermined. The dam gates are inoperable. In 1997, the Oregon Water Resources Department, the Bureau of Reclamation, and TID inspected Little Hyatt Dam; their report also documents the dam’s poor condition. For example, they observed several hundred gallons of water per minute flowing between the foundation and the concrete interface. Because the downstream valley is wide and generally uninhabited, there did not appear to be a significant threat downstream to life or property. Based on the dam’s height, impoundment volume, and the downstream development, a hazard rating of “low” was assigned to the dam. Regardless of the rating, a sudden release of water resulting from a dam failure poses some risk to public recreating downstream as well as facilities (trail and road), and private property and structures. In addition, a sudden discharge of water has the potential to affect the Keene Creek Reservoir and the hydroelectric generating facility downstream. In April of 1998, BLM proposed removal of the dam based on the dam’s poor condition. However, information gathered at subsequent public meetings indicated strong support for retaining the dam and preserving its related recreational and cultural values. In response to this, BLM issued an Environmental Assessment in 2003 to repair or rebuild the dam. BLM has made repeated attempts to secure funding to repair the dam but has been unable to acquire the needed funds. 2 In the summer of 2006, another dam safety inspection was performed. The results of this inspection show the dam suffering from continued deterioration and the threat of failure to be elevated to critical. The inspection report states that “the majority of the spalled pockets are 10-12 inches deep with exposed #7 rebar. The largest spalled pocket measured 5 feet wide by 3 feet high by 21 inches deep.” The Medford District BLM received a memo from the Associate State Director requesting that the Medford District take immediate action to breach the dam. Public outreach was again made with interested neighbors near the dam to discuss the situation.
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